Karan Narula is a freshman at University of Washington. In the summer of 2018, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My grandmother battled colon cancer for years when I was very young. She coddled me in her arms between treatments and is still around to embrace me when I visit her today. She went into remission, but this past summer my mother’s aunt passed of cancer after years of suffering in hospitals, unable to talk, delirious from the toll being taken on her body. My family has cancer stories, both good and bad, and it’s a disease that has influenced my life greatly.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

It takes courage for me to sit here and write this application, aware that I’m shirking the norm. Instead, I’m chasing what I care about. It makes me happy and gives me purpose.

At this time of the year, my peers are applying to internships and stressing about technical interviews. Interning during college is what builds the launchpad for a strong career right out of school. The problem, however, is that I’m not married to computer science. I enjoy it, but it’s not my passion. I am passionate about service.

I’m working towards a better version of myself by seeking out what I love. I love biking and running and am looking for meaning that I can bring to them. I found the 4K for Cancer movement as a Facebook advertisement and clicked the link because I had time to kill. I fell in love with the mission.

Being human means we are unsure. We have doubts. I study computer science at the University of Washington because it’s what will lead to a good job and a good future. But I’m not sure about it. I feel lost from time to time.

The Ulman Cancer Fund's pillars to be human, be better, and be courageous.

ABOUT 2018 4K for Cancer

2018 marks the 17th year of the 4K for Cancer sending young adults on journeys across the country in an effort to inspire hope and unite communities in the fight against cancer. The 4K for Cancer is a program of The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org!

CHALLENGE:

Over 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer every year. Young adults (ages 15-39) face a variety of unique challenges with a cancer diagnosis including fertility preservation, social isolation, lack of insurance, delayed diagnosis, and more.

SOLUTION:

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, the Ulman Cancer Fund is able to provide free support services and resources for the young adult cancer community including:

Cancer to 5K - a 12-week training program designed to introduce or reintroduce cancer survivors to physical activity.

Patient Navigation - a free program (onsite at cancer centers and remotely through our office) that ensures no young adult ever faces cancer alone. We provide one-on-one support & resources to young adults and their families to help them manage the cancer experience and long-term cancer survival.

Scholarships - a financial assistance program to help young adults continue their education after being affected by cancer through their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one.

UCF House - This year UCF broke ground on a “home away from home” to provide free housing for young adult cancer patients, and their caregivers, in East Baltimore.

Your donation will help make these programs and our mission possible!

Supporters

Name

Date

Amount

Comments

Gurpreet Narula

01/18/2018

$350.00

Best of luck!

Michael Li

01/03/2018

$10.00

Karan you've got this!!!

Anonymous Friend

01/03/2018

$50.00

On behalf of my daughter and your UW classmate, Stephanie Wong. You're doing a great thing. All the best!

Anu Arora

11/26/2017

$100.00

God bless you, Karan. We are proud of you!

Julian Pradeep

11/21/2017

$50.00

Shireen Singh

11/15/2017

$150.00

A very important cause! Thanks for attempting to bring hope to so many people! Hope you exceed your goal, Karan!